Report: Philadelphia Eagles want New York Giants' Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator

It has been believed that Steve Spagnuolo would be returning to helm the New York Giants' defense for the 2016 season. However, that expectation might be premature, as reports have surfaced that Spags is the first choice of Doug Pederson to be the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive coordinator next year.

Same source tells @inkstainedretch Steve Spagnuolo is Pederson’s top choice for defensive coordinator. But can he get Spags away from NYG?

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 17, 2016

The Philadelphia Eagles seem to have started off 2016 by contracting a serious case of "Giants Envy", having serious interest in both Ben McAdoo and Tom Coughlin as candidates to succeed Chip Kelly as head coach.

Both Pederson and Spags have been assistant coaches in Philadelphia, but not at the same time. Spags was a defensive assistant and position coach under Jim Johnson from 1999 to 2006, when the Giants hired him to be their defensive coordinator.

Pederson was an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach from 2009 to 2012.

Despite the ties to the organization, it could be difficult to get Spags out of New York. He is very popular within the building, and the Giants can block any interview that isn't for a promotion as Spagnuolo is still under contract to the Giants. The outside interest in Spags speaks to the belief that he is a better coach than his recent results indicate, and his abilities are respected around the league.